Weidman began lobbying for the title shot after two strong wins in
2012 which saw him outpoint grappling wiz Demian Maia
and knock out fellow wrestler Mark Munoz. The
28-year-old was slated to face Tim Boetsch at
December’s UFC 155, but Weidman was forced to withdraw after
suffering a torn labrum during training. A protégé of UFC veteran
Matt
Serra and Ray Longo, Weidman has gone unbeaten through nine
professional bouts, including five wins inside the UFC.

In Silva, Weidman will face not only his stiffest test, but also
perhaps the best fighter MMA has seen to date. The 37-year-old
“Spider” has not lost in 16 bouts since entering the UFC in 2006
and has defended his middleweight belt a record 10 times. Silva
last defended his belt in July, when he halted Chael Sonnen
in the second round of their rematch at UFC 148. He moved up to
light heavyweight in October for a short-notice bout against
Stephan
Bonnar, whom he demolished inside five minutes.